no time for making music

[paulrocker]

I've got a job (non-music) that takes about 50 hours of time per week (maybe 55). Then I've got two children (2 and 4) and household responsibilities.
I may get an hour free at some point during the day during the weekdays and maybe 2 hours on weekends.
Then I have the night. I'm usually fried by then and my creative potentials are tapped. What do I do--practice guitar.
I have no time to make music. I have no time to make a recording.
Anyone else in this situation? I should have taken up painting...
I should have just stuck with the guitar and not wasted my time on this recording equipment. I'll never have the time or energy to do something creative.

You're breaking my heart. When you're done moaning get to work and start making some great music. You want to be an inspiration to others, especially your kids? Do it even if you can barely get yourself to... great music and great things have been done under more duress. You've got to try harder, its that simple. Nothing of worth is ever easy.

And if you haven't figured it out, I'm not just talking to you.

Paul

[feyshay]

Thanks PR.
I think that sleep is overrated. What I've done has always come at the cost of sleep.
Thanks for the pep talk.

[luap]

Well I have the same situation,3 kids under 7, wife and day job. I get the kids to bed by 9-00pm them do my music till about 2 am up again at 7am. You actually get used to 5 hours sleep.Give it a go.

[feyshay]

I wanted to add something.
My wife wants to spend time with me! Now, she is definitely not high-maintenance, don't get me wrong. 9:00PM would not be a start time. More like 11:00PM. Got to get up at 6:45AM. My job requires me to very alert, so I can't get too sleep-deprived.
I think my issue with the equipment, is that I have ambivalence about making any further improvements to my studio. I believe at this time I have to put the pedal to the metal and complete more things before investing any more.
I kept saying to myself, I still need a very good preamp and a very good microphone. Now, I'm like... do something with what you have... prove the worth of your equipment, and if you do, then get that Pearlman and Phoenix.

[paulrocker]

I wanted to add something.
My wife wants to spend time with me! Now, she is definitely not high-maintenance, don't get me wrong. 9:00PM would not be a start time. More like 11:00PM. Got to get up at 6:45AM. My job requires me to very alert, so I can't get too sleep-deprived..

Look, I got that. It took me a while to get my wife to understand how important music and recording is to me, let alone my kids. My wife wants me to spend time with her too. One thing I have to add is that I bet somewhere in that week you could fit your music in but you're not. Come on, we've all been there.. none of us are immune. You've got the space, the time, but you just don't do anything. Thats the time you have to get working on music.

I think my issue with the equipment, is that I have ambivalence about making any further improvements to my studio. I believe at this time I have to put the pedal to the metal and complete more things before investing any more.
I kept saying to myself, I still need a very good preamp and a very good microphone. Now, I'm like... do something with what you have... prove the worth of your equipment, and if you do, then get that Pearlman and Phoenix

Another very slippery slope. "Can't do music until..." tutt

[DontLetMeDrown]

The simple truth: If you really wanted to do it, EVERYTHING ELSE would be on your back burner and you would do it. NO EXCUSES! tutt

There have been days where I've practiced guitar drills for over 8 hours in a day. This was when I was working 50+ hours a week. If you really want to do it, nothing is going to stop you.

ON THE OTHER HAND,

when you bring kids into your life, it's inevitable that your focus must be re-allocated. I definitely wouldn't recommend you let your music recording take over the majority of your time. I honestly don't see how someone could do this AND have kids AND do a good job raising them. I'm sure many will chime in saying that it's possible, but I seriously just can't believe it. Kids need LOTS of time, and as hard as it is to hear it, they deserve it much more than your studio does. Get away from that desk and spend some time with your kids. There are far too many crap parents nowadays.

[paulrocker]

when you bring kids into your life, it's inevitable that your focus must be re-allocated. I definitely wouldn't recommend you let your music recording take over the majority of your time. I honestly don't see how someone could do this AND have kids AND do a good job raising them. I'm sure many will chime in saying that it's possible, but I seriously just can't believe it. Kids need LOTS of time, and as hard as it is to hear it, they deserve it much more than your studio does. Get away from that desk and spend some time with your kids. There are far too many crap parents nowadays.

You can do it. I can assure you there are many many people out there who do amazing things and are good parents. See, this comes across like being passionate and hard working is 'bad' for your kids. Do you know how many great kids and lucky ones I might add that there dad's were producers. I mean how cool is that! You don't think that kid might eventually love coming into the studio and learning from you?

You don't think you will feel an unbeliveable amount of pride when your child pics up an instrument and plays along side you?

My dad was an accountant, but he loved to sail. Which one do you think we share to this day?

paul

[mrface2112]

i'm in the exact same boat.

i've got a 6-month old. before he was born, i had PLENTY of free time. now when i get home, it seems that it's all i can do to keep the plates spinning on the household stuff and spend some time with him before i put him to bed at 9. then the wife and i hang out for a little while, and it's midnight before i know it. by that point, i'm drained, and it's like pulling teeth to get down to the studio and do any recording.

the answer, i've found, is to force yourself to do it. put "studio time" into your schedule. make a trade with the wife--"if you'll let me have a couple hours a week to be in the studio on saturday afternoons by myself, i'll watch the kids so you can have a couple hours to yourself to shop or whatever". you HAVE to have some you time, and she has to have some her time, so it's a good compromise.

yeah, it sucks having to schedule time in your own freaking studio. and it's even harder not being able to go at it whenever the creative mood strikes, b/c that's when the best tracks/takes happen. but kids change everything and you have to learn to work around them. that, or you have to give up on it, and i'm just not going to do that.

i can't wait until my little guy is big enough to hang/jam with daddy in the studio--he's already exhibiting serious signs of rhythm, and i suspect i'll be able to turn him into a drummer pretty early on. :-D


cheers,
wade

[tedcrop]

Give up a couple of hours sleep and do it first thing in the morning. If you normally get up at 7 get up at 5. Everybody else is asleep and at least you will be somewhat rested.

Thats 10 hours a week plus weekend time. But real jobs suck. I am sitting at mine now.

[Sounds Great]

Simple, win the lotto, problem solved.